What material to make a kitchen apron. Apron for the kitchen - which one to choose? Review of the best design options (90 photos). Ceramic tiles in the finish of the apron for the kitchen
Apron for the kitchen - this is part of the wall between the hanging cabinets and the surface of the countertop kitchen set. Say which kitchen apron is the best, and what exactly you should choose from a huge variety building materials, no one can. This is solely a choice of your taste and the possibilities of your wallet. But we will try to tell you about what kitchen aprons are, what are their pros and cons, as well as how to make such an apron for the kitchen with your own hands, how to install an apron in the kitchen, how to fix it, we will try.
The functionality of the apron for the kitchen
The kitchen is perhaps one of the most beloved places in the apartment. In the kitchen, family members gather for breakfast, in the kitchen they have lunch, and family dinner usually takes place in this room.
At the same time, all kinds of appliances are in the kitchen, water is pouring, the stove and oven are working. Odors, moisture, fumes - all these properties of the kitchen cannot but lead to the fact that the requirements for finishing materials used in the repair of the kitchen are quite strict. And among all the finishing materials, just an apron stands out, to which the most stringent requirements are imposed.
This is understandable - splashes from pans standing on the stove, drops of water from the tap fly onto the apron, it has a temperature effect, and in different parts apron it is different - the closer to the stove and oven, the stronger this effect. The smallest food particles and traces gas stoves leave stains on the surface of kitchen items. And if you do not protect the kitchen wall from harmful effects with an apron, it will very quickly become unusable.
Therefore, the functionality of the kitchen apron lies in the following requirements for it:
- the apron must be durable, and easily endure both temperature effects and mechanical damage;
- it must be moisture resistant, not let water through, and not be afraid of exposure to both hot and cold water;
- the kitchen apron should not react to chemical compounds, organic and inorganic acids, alkalis and other compounds included in the composition detergents;
- kitchen apron should be easily washed from any contamination;
- it should look beautiful in the interior of the room.
The choice of facing material for a kitchen apron
When choosing a material, one should take into account not only the factors that were mentioned above. It is necessary, given the interior and lighting of the kitchen, to decide on the color scheme.
If your kitchen windows face north. And the sun does not get there, it is better to have an apron in bright colors to enliven the interior of the kitchen. If your kitchen is flooded with sunlight all day, then this interior detail can have light, muted shades, or, conversely, be glossy black.
And another very important advice- observe the measure. If you have a kitchen set and the walls are made in soothing light (or dark) colors, then an apron for the kitchen can be made in some crazy color or material.
But if the kitchen is bright, with walls painted in some life-affirming color, multi-colored cabinets, and curtains with butterflies of all sizes, then it is preferable for her to make an apron plain.
Given the necessary criteria (ease of care, strength, moisture and heat resistance), you should pay attention when choosing a facing material to:
- ceramic tiles;
- porcelain stoneware;
- a natural stone;
- fake diamond;
- mosaic;
- PVC and MDF panels;
- metal surface;
- strained glass;
- laminate;
- parquet.
Demanded materials for an apron in the kitchen
The most popular material is, of course, ceramic tiles. With a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and textures of this facing material, it easily fits into a wide variety of interiors.
The tile is not afraid of moisture, calmly tolerates high temperatures, is easy to clean and lasts a long time. The latter circumstance can be negative for those who like to frequently make changes to the interior.
Porcelain stoneware is even more durable than tile, and if properly installed, it will serve you faithfully for many years. Porcelain tiles will look especially organic if the countertop is made of the same material. By choosing matching shades of material for finishing countertops and walls, you can achieve a very interesting color effect.
Natural stone is an expensive material, and it is rarely found as a facing material when installing an apron in the kitchen. However, some lovers of sophisticated interiors choose exactly as a finishing material. natural stone. We must pay tribute to him, natural stone looks simply luxurious. Unless, of course, he was laid down in the five-meter kitchen of the apartment - Khrushchev.
Artificial stone is cheaper, although it looks no worse than natural, and even easier to maintain. Countertops, kitchen aprons, and even sinks are made from such material. All together, in the right color scheme, will allow you to achieve a very interesting and harmonious design of the kitchen.
Artificial stone apron
Mosaic kitchen aprons can be either single-color or multi-color. From the mosaic, you can lay out a picture, an interesting pattern or ornament, or you can simply lay it with a solid canvas of the same color. Mosaics are made in a variety of combinations, combined with a variety of materials, it depends solely on your imagination and on what result you want to achieve. A kitchen apron made of elegant mirror mosaic looks very beautiful and original. But on it all pollution, even the most insignificant will be visible. A kitchen with a glass mosaic backsplash looks stunning, but it is very impractical.
Metal aprons for the kitchen look quite interesting, unusual and easy to care for. Just remember that the metal can not be cleaned with an abrasive detergent. And still observe the measure, since the line when choosing a metal apron is between original idea and the kitsch is very thin. However, for lovers of the “techno” style, a metal kitchen apron is very suitable.
MDF and PVC panels also look good. They are inexpensive, easy to care for and imitate the most different materials- wood, stone, brick, and there are also different color. Such panels are not very durable for the kitchen, although they are moisture resistant and respond well to temperature changes. This material, however, is quite easy to damage. However, given their cost and ease of installation, such facing material is easy to replace, giving the kitchen a new look.
Glass aprons look amazing and are easy to care for, but still fragile enough to break. Therefore, they must be handled with care. 3D glass aprons for the kitchen look very interesting and expensive in the kitchen interior, for example, in a marine theme. If you decide to put just such an apron in your kitchen, then you need to understand that the main emphasis in the room will be on this magnificence, and more is unnecessary. bright details the kitchen is no longer necessary, otherwise it will look vulgar and intrusive.
Laminate and parquet as a material for kitchen aprons are quite rare, but they look good and are easy to care for. Laminate, thanks to the tightly connected parts, forms a smooth surface and is easy to clean. Drawing from pieces of parquet looks beautiful and elegant.
Dimensions of the kitchen apron
With a long apron for the kitchen, everything is clear - it depends on the size of the kitchen and the length of the surface that is located between the countertop and the cabinets on the walls.
And with height, everything is somewhat more complicated.
The height of the apron in the kitchen will depend on a number of factors. These include:
- height of kitchen furniture;
- size and type of hob;
- the size of the hanging cabinets of the kitchen set;
- the growth of your household, especially those who are standing at the stove.
The kitchen apron should be slightly below the level of the table, and slightly go under the countertop. At the same time, there should be no difficulty in opening the upper cabinets, and the hand should reach the lower shelves of the cabinets. The height of the lower cabinets standing on the floor should be just below the waist for convenience.
The distance between the upper and lower edges of the apron (this distance is called both the height and the width of the kitchen apron) should be on average 50 - 120 cm, depending on the height of the ceilings and the size of the kitchen set. The width of the apron in the kitchen also includes overlaps (about 2 cm).
How to make an apron for the kitchen with your own hands
Whatever facing material you choose, laying a kitchen backsplash begins with the preparation of the wall surface.
For light aprons, such as from laminate, PVC and MDF panels, and for heavy ones, such as porcelain stoneware or ceramic tiles, and even more so glass, it is produced in different ways.
Under tile, porcelain stoneware and glass, you need to clean the wall to the very foundation, and knock off all the plaster from it.
After that, it is necessary so that the surface to which the kitchen apron will be attached is even and smooth. Changes should be avoided, otherwise the apron will not serve you for a long time, and it will not look as beautiful as you would like.
As for kitchen aprons made of lightweight materials, it is not necessary to clean the wall to the base, it is enough to remove the plaster and slightly level the surface.
Further, under any type of apron, a support made of hard material should be installed under the lower part. It can be either a bar or a galvanized corner. The support is attached to the wall along the entire length of the future kitchen apron with self-tapping screws.
How to lay out an apron in the kitchen from tiles is generally clear to everyone. The laying rules are simple:
- you need to put it on a special tile adhesive, which hardens quickly enough;
- this glue is applied from below immediately above the support to the width of one tile and the length of the apron;
- after that, they begin to lay the bottom layer of tiles, relying on a beam or corner attached to the wall;
- be sure to insert crosses or wedges into the vertical seams between individual tiles so that these seams are even and the same;
- the top edge of the tiles must be leveled as much as possible using the level;
- twenty minutes later, after the glue on which the first row of tiles is laid has hardened, we begin to lay the next row according to the same rules, using the already laid row as a support;
- post the rest in the same way facing tiles to the top of the apron.
A mosaic apron is laid in much the same way as from ceramics, only the fragments are placed not on glue, but on a special gypsum-cement mortar, which dries longer and makes it possible to correct the mosaic fragments if necessary.
glass apron
With glass it is somewhat more difficult, one person cannot cope with this, helpers are definitely needed.
How to fix such an apron in the kitchen, you need to tell in detail. To begin with, it is necessary, stepping back about 2 cm from the upper edge of the glass, to make holes for the dowels in the wall at a distance of about 5 cm from each other. Dowels are inserted into these holes.
Exactly the same holes are drilled along the entire length of the support for self-tapping screws, stepping back from the edge of the support beam or corner by the same 2 cm as in the upper part. Special devices are prepared for both the upper and lower self-tapping screws, with the help of which the glass will be held (most often they are included in the apron kit). After that, you need to once again clean and degrease the wall, as well as that part of the glass that will adjoin the wall.
Glue the glass apron onto the silicone. In this case, silicone is applied to the surface of the wall in waves, with a loop width of about 3 cm, quite tightly. Then the glass will stick firmly to the wall. In this case, the waves must be applied vertically to the wall. Silicone cures quite slowly, which is good because the glass needs to be installed carefully and accurately.
Two people carefully lift the one-piece glass apron. Raising the glass, you need to install it on the lower support. After that, the glass must be pressed tightly against the wall over the entire surface. The third person should wrap the screws and press the glass with the holders. You can release the glass only after all the screws - both lower and upper - have been tightly screwed.
We note right away that the gap that forms between the apron and the countertop must be closed with something, otherwise dirt, food particles and water splashes will get there. The gap can be closed with a PVC edging.
It is difficult to say from what material it is better to make an apron for the kitchen, since in each case you need to be guided by a lot of circumstances, and first of all, by the preferences of the owner of the apartment.
However, having an idea about certain facing materials for a kitchen apron, you can get an idea of the pros and cons of your choice.
When questions arise, what is better to make an apron on the wall in the kitchen, you should first of all pay attention to the materials used. They differ in cost, shade, dimensions. At the same time, there are a number of other parameters, but the main ones are such characteristics as wear resistance and strength. When choosing an option, the quality of the wall surface is taken into account. The rougher it is, the better the adhesion with the adhesive will be. This is taken into account when choosing tiles, MDF plastic panels, stone (natural, artificial).
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What is a kitchen apron for?
This element of the interior performs 2 main functions:
Decorative. | Kitchen apron will decorate any room. It is made of attractive materials, which additionally allow you to hide the defects of the draft wall. Thanks to the creation of accents, the interior acquires originality, brightness, and completeness. Finishing working area in the kitchen it is performed in different variations: pattern, photograph, drawing, relief surface of the coating. The choice is made taking into account the color scheme and style direction of the interior. |
Protective. | To exclude the possibility of exposure to moisture on the rough surface bearing wall, near which the working area is often equipped, you can make an apron for the kitchen. In this case, materials such as concrete and brick are adversely affected by water, while ceramics, natural stone or plastic are moisture resistant. For this reason, the walls near the sink and stove are lined. In addition, the apron tolerates the effects of chemicals (detergents) well. The use of this interior element helps to increase the service life of the load-bearing wall. |
Requirements for kitchen aprons in terms of combining functionality and beauty
Choose a material that is suitable in terms of properties and appearance for the room. For example, it is inappropriate to use wallpaper for this purpose, because. they serve for a short time and poorly cope with their main task. If the question is being decided, what is the best way to make an apron in the kitchen, you should pay attention to whether the selected material meets the requirements for an interior item of this type:
- Moisture resistant. If you install an apron made of hygroscopic material on the wall, it will not last long. The appearance of finishing the working area is largely determined by such a property as moisture resistance.
- The material from which the apron is made must withstand exposure to high temperatures. This is due to the fact that the coating is located in close proximity to the plate, the source hot water, which means it will be in contact with the steam. The apron must withstand not only high temperatures, but also sudden changes in the value of this parameter, which leads to the appearance of condensate.
- Ease of maintenance. It is not necessary to use materials with a smooth surface. Limescale, grease, water drops are easily removed from them. However, this section of the wall gets dirty pretty quickly. If the question is decided which is better to make an apron, you should pay attention to materials characterized by a finely porous structure. Dirt lingers on such surfaces less intensively.
- Resistant to mechanical stress. A durable apron lasts much longer.
- Attractive design. With the help of this element of the interior, you can decorate the room, affect its visual perception.
Features and Benefits
The sizes of the apron can be different:
- a large-sized interior element occupies a section of the wall from the level of the hood to the floor;
- a standard apron is characterized by a height in the range of 55-75 cm.
The second option is more common, because. material in this case is spent more economically. If the kitchen cabinets are located at some distance from each other, it is recommended to make an apron from the hood to the floor. The choice of material is determined by the requirements for it, personal preferences and financial capabilities.
Often, ordinary ceramic tiles are used for this purpose. More expensive analogues are natural / artificial stone, mosaic, glass. Wood-based materials are used less often. Of this group, MDF is most often used. Economy class materials include plastic panels. If the user is limited in funds, or there is a desire to create an original apron, any available options should be considered, for example, a canvas from wine corks, which you can make yourself from improvised materials.
When choosing an apron for the kitchen, you should decide whether it is appropriate to finish the working area and take into account positive traits this element of the interior:
- low material consumption - you do not have to close the entire wall, but only part of it;
- protection of the partition, which is more exposed to aggressive factors than other surfaces;
- improvement of interior design;
- multivariant execution;
- subject to the right apron for the kitchen, you can count on a long period its operation;
- relatively simple installation;
- ease of care.
We select the color and design of the finish
There are such solutions:
- With the help of finishing the working area, they create a background for the kitchen set. Here the color of the apron should match the shade of the furniture. Often they finish the wall in light colors, and the front panels in darker ones. There is also the opposite option: the apron is a dark shade, and the headset is light.
- Focus on the apron. In this case, the finish of the working area stands out in color, contrasts with the coatings of other interior elements. The wall is decorated with a bright pattern, photograph.
- Original design. You can make an apron in the kitchen with your own hands, using improvised materials. Unusual design the working area attracts attention, decorates the room, makes the interior unique.
If you use a neutral range (beige, white tone), such an apron is suitable for a kitchen in any style. Finishing with black material is performed if the room already has design elements in the same design. To visually enlarge the space, the design of a small kitchen and work area is done in light colors.
What are kitchen aprons?
Finishing the wall section near the stove / sink is carried out in different versions, different in design, colors and materials. The last of the parameters is the most important, because the type of coating determines the properties of the apron. Today it is possible to finish with laminate panels for the kitchen, and you can do it yourself. There are options from glass, tile, plastic, porcelain stoneware, stone, use sheets of polycarbonate, plywood. If wood-containing materials are taken, then they must be moisture resistant. The second most important parameter is mechanical strength.
Plastic
Panels of this type endure the impact of water. They withstand moderate mechanical stress. However, intense pressure on plastic of small thickness is fatal - the product cracks and cannot be restored. The advantages of this material include low cost. In addition, do-it-yourself plastic kitchen apron is relatively easy to mount. It can be glued on liquid nails or other adhesive composition suitable for the type of material.
In addition, plastic panels hide surface imperfections well. They can be installed even on a curved wall. This possibility is due to the flexibility of the material. However, he is not attractive. The panels lose color in the sun, are exposed to high temperatures, so they are not recommended to be installed near the stove.
Budget from MDF
If the question is being decided how to make an apron from MDF, the positive qualities of this material should be taken into account:
- low price;
- attractive appearance;
- a wide range of options;
- simple installation;
- it is possible to replace the coverage area;
- environmental friendliness.
At the same time, MDF boards are not resistant to high temperatures. Although slightly, they are still susceptible to moisture. The service life of the material under conditions high humidity will be short lived.
But in this case, there is no need to purchase special glue for installation. If the question is how to install an MDF apron in the kitchen, you should know that for this it is enough to fix the panels on the wall using self-tapping screws / dowels.
From ceramic tiles
The material is durable, non-hygroscopic, withstands ultraviolet radiation, moderate mechanical loads. Due to these properties, tiles are often used for finishing an apron. The disadvantage of this option is the need for careful alignment of the wall. When installing tiles, surface flaws will be visible.
In addition, you need to choose an adhesive mixture. If the question is how to properly lay the tiles, you should pay attention to the universal compositions. To finish the working area, you can use glue that can withstand high temperatures, because. the apron will be in close proximity to the hob.
From mosaic tiles
Such material is presented different types, which differ in the method of installation, dimensions. There is a small tile. If you plan to make an apron for the kitchen from a mosaic with your own hands, you need to take into account that the installation process of small-sized products will take a lot of time.
Alternative option - laying tiles standard sizes with mosaic decoration. Such products are mounted quickly, and in appearance it is difficult to notice the difference. The material is characterized by similar properties as a tile, but requires more careful maintenance. This is due to the presence of a large number of grooves (seam joints) between the mosaic. The main advantage of the tile is the ability to perform any pattern or pattern.
- increased strength;
- moisture resistance;
- easy care;
- long period of operation;
- attractive appearance, resemblance to granite.
An apron made of porcelain stoneware is attached with glue. The laying technology is practically no different from the principle of installing tiles. This material is offered at a lower cost than the natural counterpart. However, in appearance, these finishes are not much different.
From glass
Panels made of this material are called skinals. Plain or tempered glass can be used. The second option is preferable, but it costs more. Installing a glass apron made of tempered material will provide a reliable coating that is resistant to high temperatures. Panels of this type are not afraid of aggressive agents, damage.
Simple glass is cheaper, but does not last long, because. subject to mechanical stress. The main disadvantage of this type of panels is the need for frequent maintenance. Do-it-yourself glass apron for the kitchen is not easy to install, because. you need to make holes for fasteners. The pluses include an attractive appearance, which is due to the possibility of inserting a bright photograph, a picture between the glass panels.
Made of artificial stone
Porcelain stoneware is included in this group of materials. This also includes acrylic stone. The last of the options is characterized by a sufficient level of strength, moisture resistance. The material of this type is not exposed to high temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, and is characterized by a long service life. If the question is being decided how to lay out an apron made of artificial stone, you should know that with its help you can get a seamless coating. In addition, there is a large number of finishing options of this type, excellent in color, texture.
From natural stone
This is the most expensive option, so it is not used as often as its counterparts. This group includes granite, marble. According to the properties, natural stone corresponds to porcelain stoneware. Panels of this type differ in shade. Today, a wide range of products is offered in black, pink, red, yellow, blue, gray, brown and white. The disadvantages include the complexity of installation. The fastening of the apron made of natural stone is carried out using a special glue.
Do-it-yourself installation
First of all, you need to remove the old coating. Then the surface is leveled. If necessary, the wall is re-plastered. In the case when the surface is not smooth enough, and there are obvious defects, they are eliminated by filling with putty. Then the wall is treated with a primer. On the next step actions may vary, it all depends on the type of material that is used:
- a mounting grid is attached or notches are prepared on the wall, which will allow you to securely fix the tile;
- holes are made in the wall for dowels.
Installing an apron in the kitchen requires the use of a building level, with its help they check the quality of the coating. Holes for sockets in the kitchen apron are made before installing the finishing material. If it is planned to conduct lighting, wall chasing is performed at the stage of preparing the rough surface.
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Reading 8 min.
The kitchen apron is marked by designers as enough complex element, which, with the wrong selection, can spoil the look of the most stylish facade, and with a good choice, it will make even the simplest set spectacular.
In order not to make a mistake when choosing an apron, designers usually collect pieces of materials used in the decoration of the kitchen (wallpaper, flooring, countertops) and only on their basis begin to select an apron. Today the construction market offers huge selection building materials for making a kitchen apron. Therefore, it is very difficult to figure out which type of apron to choose.
Designers pay a lot of attention to this topic and consider the most amazing options for choosing an apron. Therefore, we will devote this article to the choice of apron material and the nuances that affect its selection.
What you need to know when choosing an apron?
Before proceeding with the choice of an apron, you should decide on its size and height. As a rule, the height of the apron is 60 cm. This height is the best option, as it suits people with both high and medium height.
But if the owners of the apartment are low, the apron is made 45 - 55 cm in height. Designers are also advised to lower the height of the apron if the upper doors in the headset open up.
If there are no wall cabinets in the headset (or there are few of them), then the apron can be made standard in height, or it can be made too high. So, its height can in some cases reach the ceiling or occupy ¾ of the wall.
If desired, the apron area can be raised above the hood. If a niche is arranged in the area of \u200b\u200bthe working area, then it must be lined.
The choice of apron is carried out taking into account the following nuances
1. The apron should harmoniously fit into the interior of the kitchen.
2. Excessive brightness is not desirable, eyes get tired of it. Therefore, it is better to give preference to moderate tones.
3. To enhance saturation, you can resort to a glossy finish, as a matte surface will make the apron more pale.
4. When choosing an apron with a print, you should remember that large images in small rooms look bulky, and in too spacious kitchens they will turn out to be nondescript.
5. In order for the apron to visually expand the kitchen, it should be made with horizontal lines.
6. You can visually enlarge the kitchen space with the help of a mirror and glass apron. But here it should be remembered that stains and any kind of pollution are strongly visible on it.
7. When choosing a tile for an apron, it is worth giving preference to a square tile (10x10; 20x20). Its appearance is more aesthetic, although its installation is somewhat more expensive than rectangular tiles.
9. Apron tiles should be bought with a margin (it should be bought 10% more than actually needed).
10. It is easiest to care for an apron with a smooth surface without reliefs, since dirt will collect in any irregularities in the apron.
What material can be used to make an apron for the kitchen?
Considering the fact that the apron area is the most visible and most quickly polluted surface, very high demands are always placed on it.
The apron must be well washed, withstand temperature extremes, and be resistant to chemical care products. Consider below what materials the modern market offers us for an apron device.
Ceramic tile
This is the most practical finishing material, which is easy to clean, resistant to water, chemicals and temperature extremes. Ceramic tile fire-resistant and durable, it is especially recommended to lay it out in those kitchens where there is a gas stove.
Also, the advantage of the tile is the ability to apply photo printing on it. The variety of colors, decors and different panels allows you to create unique combinations.
The disadvantages include the complexity of its installation and the cost of accompanying work: surface preparation, gluing and grouting tiles. Compared to device MDF finishes and plastic, wall decoration with an apron made of ceramic tiles will cost the hostess of the kitchen much more.
When choosing a ceramic tile for an apron, you should be aware that light seams get dirty quickly, so it is better to choose a darkened grout. It is also important to remember that smooth matte tiles are easier to clean than glossy ones.
In order for the seams to retain their attractive appearance longer, it is worth using a waterproof grout.
Mosaic
This is quite a rich and spectacular finish. With proper selection, you can make unique combinations of mosaics with floors and walls, match furniture and any item in the interior.
Its characteristics are similar to ceramic tiles. A mosaic apron is good because it will last for many years.
To negative sides mosaic decoration refers to the complexity of its device and a large number of seams. In the kitchen, the seams can quickly become dirty, darken and poorly washed. Therefore, experts recommend using epoxy grout.
The device of a mosaic apron, in comparison with ceramic, will cost more. To reduce the cost of the project, you can use tiles "under the mosaic".
Glass
Glass apron is a new design trend that has gained popularity due to its originality. An important feature such an apron is the ability to apply a variety of images under glass.
The disadvantage of glass is that it is not suitable for every interior. In addition, water splashes and grease stains are clearly visible on the glass. Therefore, the hostess will have to spend a lot of time laundering the apron. Not happy here and the price. It is much higher than ceramic tiles and MDF panels.
Plastic
An apron made of plastic panels is one of the cheapest options, it is installed quickly and easily. But compared to other options, plastic can easily catch fire from fire, deform from chemical cleaners and temperature changes.
It can also be easily scratched under mechanical stress. Some types of plastic can release toxic substances into the atmosphere.
Today, a double-sided plastic panel is offered for sale. It is installed in special profiles, which makes it possible to replace it yourself at any time.
MDF panels
The MDF apron is one of the cheapest finishes. It installs easily and quickly. In many stores, when buying a kitchen and MDF panels, they offer free installation.
At the same time, the fastening of the panels is not difficult, so installation can even be done independently.
An important advantage of MDF panels is their easy dismantling and easy selection. As a rule, the color of such an apron is chosen to match the color of the countertop.
The negative side of the MDF apron is its instability to water, household chemicals. The MDF apron is highly flammable and emits harmful substances. Connoisseurs of expensive kitchen interiors are unlikely to appreciate such a finish.
What color to choose an apron for the kitchen?
There are a number of principles for choosing the color of an apron, we will consider them in detail. By itself, the color of the apron is not oriented to anything and looks like an independent element. This option possible in a monochrome kitchen. For example, against the background of a white headset and white walls, the apron is made in bright colors in a combination of red, white, yellow, blue tones.
Partial combination with the facade of the kitchen set
This maneuver looks beautiful when the cooking zone in the hood area is highlighted with the color of the facade. In this case, the rest of the apron will be made in a neutral color.
Principle of opposites
For example, the kitchen background is formed from two colors: white and black, matte and glossy. In this case, a black glossy apron is selected for a white matte headset. At the same time, the ceiling is made in white, and the walls and floor are made in dark color.
Matching with furniture
The kitchen environment always wins when a combination of objects is observed. For example: the blue color of the kitchen apron echoes the blue upholstery of chairs (or a blue vase).
Combination with flooring
Against the backdrop of a calm tone, the combination of an apron with a tiled floor will bring its accent to the kitchen interior. Curtains can also be connected to the tone of a given combination.
In the same tone with the walls
This technique can be used in a studio apartment, where the walls of the living room remain the main area.
Same color as kitchen set
This option allows you to give the headset a look of integrity and lightness. But if the walls are made in a certain tone, then this tone should be included in the color of the apron. For example, the seams are overwritten in the color of the walls.
There are two colors in the kitchen
If the kitchen is two-tone, then the apron should be done in an intermediate shade between the floor and walls. That is, it must be made lighter than the floor, but darker than the walls.
Transfer the color of the floor to the wall (apron)
A holistic composition looks like a floor, an apron and a countertop, made in the same color.
Apron to match the tabletop
This is an ideal option for which you no longer need to select anything.
How to choose an apron for a small kitchen?
Considering different variants kitchen aprons, there are some points to consider when choosing an apron for a small kitchen.
Considering that space is limited in a small kitchen, for its visual expansion it is necessary to use light colors, where a light set will give a complete picture with a light apron.
Also, mirror surfaces will help to visually expand the space. However, it should be remembered here that the presence of small objects reflected in the mirror surface can form a feeling of clutter.
You should not arrange an apron with large drawings, patterns and photo printing in a small space. Such elements will make the design of the room heavier. In this case, a small unobtrusive pattern will be harmonious. An apron containing horizontal stripes in the pattern will visually lengthen the room.
Not acceptable for small space a combination of two contrasting colors (for example, white and black). This combination will visually reduce the kitchen space and make it cluttered.
Finishing in the kitchen should not only please the eye, but also be practical. When choosing a material for an apron, you need to pay attention to its size, quality, aesthetic beauty and cost. The distance above the work surface, that is, the countertop and hanging headset cabinets, should be optimal to protect the wall from hot steam, oil splashes, grease and other contaminants. As a rule, finishing is carried out along the entire wall, but quite often it is limited to individual inserts, for example, in the sink area, stoves.
Peculiarities
When choosing an apron model, consider its size. The height of this element is on average from 45 to 60 cm. When choosing certain sizes, it is necessary to build on your own height and type of plate. The fact is that the owners of gas stoves must observe the distance between the hood and hob from 75-80 cm.
When you install the apron in the kitchen, leave a couple of centimeters under the top and bottom sets, the countertop. The visible joint should be hidden with a plinth or treated with silicone, sealant. This is done so that water does not flow behind the floor cabinet, and its wooden walls do not swell, deform, or provoke the formation of mold and fungus.
Each material has its own characteristics, specifications. So, experts do not recommend the use of unglazed ceramic tiles, because it has a porous structure. If you do not want to face the accumulation of grease, moisture, which are difficult to remove from the surface, pay attention to chipboard, glass, Italian tiles, MDF and plastic, artificial stone. All other materials will become an excellent barrier against bacteria and their reproduction. With proper care, the kitchen apron will last a long time.
To facilitate regular maintenance, try to choose the right flat and smooth design without seams or joints.
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Varieties and colors
Often a kitchen apron acts as an excellent design accent in the interior. You can not spend fabulous money on boring facades of a kitchen set, super-washable wallpapers, expensive floors with insulation. It is enough to arrange an apron with quality materials in an interesting color solution. It will certainly attract the eyes of curious guests, it's great to decorate the overall atmosphere of the kitchen. There are a huge number of materials on the market from which you can create a truly artistic masterpiece.
If you do not have enough money to buy elite European materials, you can use their cheaper counterparts. Such a finish made of MDF, chipboard, plastic perfectly imitates wood species, natural stone, creates amazing stained-glass windows, the effect of broken colored glass, etc. When designing an apron, it is important to understand what role it will play in the interior of the kitchen. Sometimes it is a wonderful backdrop for a kitchen set or vice versa. In this zone, you can place a three-dimensional 3D photo print, visually expanding the workspace, giving the kitchen interior a plot.
It can be a seashore, a fascinating skyline, floral still lifes, fantasy scenes, animalistics or any national pattern (Scandinavian, Oriental, Provencal, Azulejo, etc.). universal color for an apron, white is still considered. Plastic panels, glass will look great with a set of any color. So that they do not have a “hospital” boring look, designers advise diluting the snow-white tonality with a color insert from mosaics, ceramic decor, and photo printing. The neutral range also includes a shade of ivory, beige, ivory, milky, cream.
If you stop at a colored apron, be sure to “support” its palette with other interior details. It is best if it goes tone on tone or pattern on pattern with kitchen textile elements: curtains, decorative pillows, as well as wallpaper. The color of marsala, burgundy, lime, emerald, ultramarine will look incredibly stylish in the kitchen.
If lilac becomes the key color palette for the bedroom, then in the kitchen - rich purple. Strive to use as many natural colors as possible. By the way, there will be all shades of brown, yellow, gray in contrast with black, white, cream, sand, pastel, etc.
Popular finishing materials
One of the most popular materials is ceramic tiles or small format porcelain tiles. They are affordable in price and quality, but more expensive than the option of chipboard, MDF. An order of magnitude higher are aprons made of sustainable glass, artificial stone. The latter are mainly used in country cottages, apartments to maintain the prestige of their property.
Tile
Try to choose tiles with a glossy finish for ease of maintenance. Its shiny surface will reflect light, which will visually expand the area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen. If you are not favored by small square meters, you can use volumetric decors, select relief tile samples, for example, with a 3d effect. For any interior, beige-brown will be a win-win color, regardless of what style surrounds you (classic, kitsch, vintage or art nouveau).
A feature of the tile is that it easily imitates other materials: stone, wood, glass. A popular decoration will be a watercolor drawing or patterns with stains. With them, small dirt, stains are practically not visible. When laying tiles, pay attention to problem areas, seams. Light grout will lose its original color over time. Important at the start finishing works use only quality materials with dirt-repellent, moisture-resistant components, such as epoxy grout.
You can also choose rectified tiles, in which the distance between the seams does not exceed 2 mm. In this case, the darkened areas during operation will practically not be noticeable. Experts advise choosing tiles with a special coating that perfectly resists aggressive environments. With such material it will not be scary to use any chemicals even with abrasive particles in the composition.
There are a huge number of options for laying Italian tiles. You can choose a checkerboard, traditional or offset. You can arrange it diagonally on the Soviet motif or using the kaleidoscope method (in discordance in colors). If you choose ceramic tiles 10 x 10 cm, then you can do without additional trimming when laying. It looks great in small kitchens.
It will be possible to reduce the time of finishing work with ceramic tiles if you purchase samples of medium size, from 30 x 30 cm and above. They can imitate small tiles, have slots, recesses, but they will fit several times faster.
photo tiles
An apron made with the participation of photo tiles looks unusually fashionable. It will become a unique decoration for the kitchen, will bring individuality, luxury to any interior. You can depict absolutely any print, pattern or drawing above the hob, even your family photo. This decoration will certainly inspire you to cook delicious, mouth-watering dishes for your beloved household.
Glass
If you are a fighter for quality, strength and longevity, look at tempered glass models. It can be decorated at any time with a pattern, for example, from acrylic. The advantage of such a finish will be resistance to pollution, practicality in use, long service life.
The product perfectly "gets along" with the hob, tolerates any temperature fluctuations, and does not allow moisture to pass through. You can decorate glass with drawings of large flowers, images of birds, animals, vintage items, fruits or vegetables, sweets.
The shine of the glass will give the kitchen neatness in any light. It is believed that glass, as well as laminate models, is the most noble type of finish, it always looks concise, expensive, and prestigious. When mounting, it is better to use fasteners. You will not scratch headsets, facades, therefore repair and finishing works can be carried out at any stage of construction. Just as popular will be a mirror apron that corrects all the flaws in the geometry of your kitchen.
Mosaic
The exquisite design of the kitchen apron with the help of mosaics is trendy, consists of contrasting shades, non-trivial colors. Mosaic will give a special charm to the kitchen, tenderness and elegance. When installing this design, glue is used, grout, which takes most time to "eliminate" the seams. It is also necessary to observe the sequence when laying the mosaic.
Plastic
For lack of sufficient funds, instead of an apron made of natural stone, an Italian fresco, you can resort to hypoallergenic plastic of the economy class category. There are several options for such a kitchen finish:
from plastic based on MDF, chipboard or fiberboard;
the use of decorative hot-pressed plastic;
creating stunning visualization "under the tree", stone and other materials;
using plastic made from polycarbonate.
All models are easy to mount, take care of them, extending their service life every year. You can also think a budget option chipboard and plastic. This design is easy to do with your own hands, replace if necessary. Quite often the material is colorless, transparent. Under it, it will be possible to glue stylish wallpapers, create photo printing.
This model shows excellent resistance to moisture, high temperatures. Would you like to receive an apron affordable price without seams and joints - take into account the chipboard system!
artificial stone
One of the most aesthetically pleasing ideas would be the use of artificial stone. In this case, it is better that the countertop is made of the same material. Despite its high cost, the finish is very popular among wealthy owners of cottages, penthouses, townhouses.
Required for installation quality work experienced craftsmen who will create the perfect picture of the interior. Careful handling of this surface guarantees a long service life. The product perfectly tolerates frequent cleaning, including wet.
Design styles
For a loft-style design, a boar tile or a brick model is suitable. It has a rectangular shape and beveled chamfers on the edges, which is why it resembles a brick. This finish will look great in a classic and modern interior. It is possible to choose how standard version in the size of 10 x 20 cm, and large format up to 15 x 45 cm.
As a rule, the "boar" is produced in a solid color, with a smooth glossy surface. The coloring is mostly neutral, calm. It is customary to dilute collections of kitchen apron with interesting photo printing, drawings with fruits, berries, sweets and other ideas on a culinary theme.
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For styles of kitsch, eclecticism, mosaic products are suitable. They give in wooden house atmosphere of well-being, comfort, joy. For luxurious baroque, avant-garde, Romanesque, Mediterranean styles, wall panels are suitable, for which it is important to provide space and symmetry. For the Victorian style, pastoral still lifes, a landscape of famous cities ( Ancient Greece, Venice, Florence, etc.). Tiles that imitate facings can be complemented by textured patterns, spectacular coatings, and stylized antique ornaments.
Today we’ll talk about the most popular materials for decorating the working area, compare them and find out which material is best suited for decorating a kitchen apron.
You will learn the pros and cons of each coverage, see examples ready-made solutions in the interior from ordinary materials and aprons created by oneself from non-traditional elements. Yaroslav Belyavsky, the owner of a repair company, a former master tiler with 20 years of experience in this profile, kindly agreed to help us decide.
Budget options
Apron for kitchen from PVC panels
PVC panels are now very popular, as they are inexpensive, and outwardly they cannot be distinguished from real tempered glass. But they don't look like that for long...
The surface quickly fades, is afraid of abrasives, as a result, it quickly scratches, acquiring a very shabby look.
In addition, PVC plastic panels are afraid of high temperatures, which means that it is completely undesirable to place them near the hob.
In a word, the option is cheap, but very bad and in the end it will cost you more than something more decent.
Apron for kitchen from wooden lining
The option is very cozy, inexpensive and looks just great. Such aprons look especially good in kitchens decorated in any of the country styles, for example, the same “Provence”.
Almost anyone can make such a coating and for this you do not need to involve professionals.
average price
Ceramic tile kitchen apron
The tile has always been, is and will be the best option both in terms of practicality and price.
We placed it in the middle price category, but as you understand, it can be different: both very cheap and unrealistically expensive. But in general, people are more likely to choose average prices.
There is no point in talking about the advantages of a ceramic tile apron, everyone already knows this. And of the minuses, it can only be noted that not everyone can put it on their own, and this doubles the price of the apron.
Kitchen apron made of finishing bricks
Real brick cladding became popular at a time when loft and grunge kitchen designs came into fashion, suggesting bare walls or other intentional carelessness of decoration.
The brick apron looks pretty nice, but do not forget that washing it is completely unpleasant! Fat and dirt eat into the structure, are absorbed, rub it for a long time and tediously.
But, if such a prospect does not bother you, why not? In extreme cases, when you get tired of washing it, you can close the wall with tempered glass.
And one more thing: you do not need to use a solid brick for these purposes. Sufficiently narrow, which is used specifically for the external cladding of houses.
Stainless steel kitchen apron
Stainless steel is still an unusual option in the design of the working area of \u200b\u200bthe kitchen. But if you have a room interior in modern style, we highly recommend to pay attention to it. There are just a lot of pluses here, but there are no minuses in it.
Such an apron will cost quite inexpensively, it looks stylish, caring for it is simply elementary, and there is no question of durability!
Some are simply embarrassed by such a strict look and the “cold” of the metal. But if you look at the photo in the interior, it becomes clear that a stainless steel apron is appropriate in almost any kitchen, not only in the high-tech style, for example.
The only thing to consider when buying: do not take sheets that are too thin, they will not keep their shape and an unpleasant rumble can be heard when touched.
Also, do not take too mirrored surfaces, as the glare from the sun and lighting will be very annoying.
In addition to smooth sheets, there are also corrugated, matte, and embossed sheets on sale. In general, a good option and affordable, despite the fact that it looks extremely modern and expensive.
Acrylic artificial stone kitchen apron
Such an apron is very similar to natural stone, its price is very affordable, and for those who want to design a working wall in the form of a rock at all costs, this will be a good choice.
No photo printing can guarantee such naturalness. But, deciding on such a purchase, do not forget about the obvious disadvantages of acrylic artificial stone:
- He is very afraid of scratches
- He is afraid of hot (of course, he will not melt from the neighboring stove, but if a spark falls on him, then a trace will remain)
- He is afraid of aggressive chemistry, from the use of which whitish spots remain on him.
But, with all this, acrylic stone slabs there is one big plus: it is subject to restoration! True, if you treat the apron carelessly, then you will have to repair and patch it often, and this is not so cheap.
Expensive materials
Mosaic kitchen apron
A great option, but definitely expensive. In operation, no problems were found, such aprons serve for so long that they manage to get bored.
Among the shortcomings, it is only possible to single out that it is not always convenient to wipe greasy drops from thin crevices, therefore, it is advisable not to bring the dirt to the point that the dirt is firmly “ingrained”.
If you are interested in such a design, you can read about it in more detail in which lists all the pros and cons, as well as a lot of photos in the interior.
Marble kitchen apron
It is not so often possible to find a kitchen where such aprons are present, since this is an elite and very expensive type of coating. If you take a marble mosaic, it will come out a little cheaper than a solid slab, but it will be more difficult to care for it.
And despite the high cost, marble aprons have a big drawback: dirt and grease are absorbed over time and it is not very easy to care for them.
Otherwise, it is an unpretentious coating, not afraid of scratches, not afraid of aggressive chemicals. But in fairness, many other coatings that are easier to care for have the same characteristics.
A marble apron has the right to exist only if you need to emphasize the status of the home.
Kitchen apron made of natural stone
The stone can be anything: from pebbles collected with your own hands on the shore to unreal expensive stoves from onyx.
Here the choice is yours. As for the characteristics of any stone, only one thing can be said: it behaves in much the same way as marble, that is, dirt and grease tend to be absorbed.
To partially avoid these problems, you need to choose plates on which a durable, glossy coating is applied, since any natural stone has a porous structure.
Be sure to ask the seller how the plates were polished and what additives were used to protect against moisture.
Kitchen apron made of quartz agglomerate
The material is relatively new to the kitchen aprons market, although it has been successfully used for the manufacture of countertops for a long time. Agglomerate is not an artificial stone, such as acrylic.
This is a quartz crumb, which, with the help of pressing, vibration and the addition of a small percentage of binder resins, was turned into a monolithic slab.
The stone comes out extremely durable, devoid of any porosity and moisture inherent in a natural array.
Caring for it is very simple, the agglomerate is not afraid of any mechanical damage and reacts negatively only to the strongest acids (as they corrode the binding resins). Just an eternal apron that will serve you all your life, and then your grandchildren.
It has a lot of colors and such a stone looks natural. It is absolutely impossible to distinguish it from natural. A good choice, word. Feel free to recommend!
Glass kitchen apron
Heat-resistant glass is not cheap, but it looks very stylish. With its help, you can realize any fantasy and display any image: from a mirror image to your own self-portrait.
As for the operation - the material is good and does not cause any complaints in any way. It is durable and easy to maintain.
Fancy DIY aprons
Pebble kitchen apron
If you live by the sea, then for you this option will come out budget, while being extremely original! You just need to drive to the shore and bring pebbles. And then fix it on the wall, covered with a small layer of tile mortar.
As for the care of such a surface, it cannot be called the simplest due to the fact that the plane is not smooth. And one more thing: if you poorly fixed the pebbles, then they will fall out at the moment when you rub the apron with a rag.
But such a working wall looks just great! Look please:
Splintered kitchen apron
A variant in the style of "hippie" practically. Naturally, it is very budget. But there is one “but” here: if you have bad taste, then you should not take on such work, as the result will be deplorable and sloppy.
To harmoniously match the shards, you need to have an understanding of color and feel the compatibility of textures. But if you succeed, then the guests will be delighted, 100%!
The assembly process itself is simple: the fragments are attached to some kind of base, such as cement mortar or gypsum plaster. The latter option is more preferable, as it is light, so bright glasses will look more contrasting and fresh on it.
Wine cork apron
The appearance of such a coating is very interesting. But, a cork is a cork: the material is porous and very soft.
Therefore, if you want such a working wall, you will have to cover it with transparent plastic on top, otherwise, in just a couple of months, the apron will look untidy and it will be simply impossible to wash it.
Kitchen apron with slate paint
Very very interesting solution in terms of design. In addition, a piece of the board above the desktop is practical: at any time you can write something down without being distracted from cooking. You can also leave notes to your family if you need to remind them of something urgently!
Making such an apron is very simple: take a smooth piece of plywood, cut a strip of the desired size out of it, fasten it over the countertop and paint with special slate paint in 3-4 layers.
Such paint is not cheap, but you can save money: cover the first two layers with ordinary paint, and the top ones with slate paint.
See how cozy and original these aprons look in the interior.
Well, our review has come to an end, and we figured out which kitchen apron is better. We wish you a successful completion of the repair!